Arrest made in bus driver's murder

Charles Hill is believed to be the man captured on surveillance video at an ATM with James Brotherton, foreground, shortly before Brotherton was killed.

Provided by SCSO

By CARRIE WELLS

Published: Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 9:11 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 9:11 p.m.

SARASOTA COUNTY - A 31-year-old Sarasota man was arrested Saturday in connection with the recent murder of a father of three.

James Brotherton, a 49-year-old Sarasota County Area Transit bus driver, was shot to death on Nov. 21, about four minutes after he was caught on video with his suspected killer at an ATM at Beneva Village Bank of America on Clark Road.

Sheriff's Office deputies arrested Charles L. Hill Jr., of the 4100 block of Westminster Drive, as he left a shopping center. Hill is charged with first-degree murder and is being held without bond.

A witness told the sheriff's office Hill asked him for a ride to the Gulf Gate area, where Brotherton was later shot, because he needed to see someone who owed him money.

The Gulf Gate library surveillance camera caught the shooting and the suspect fleeing in Brotherton's car with the trunk open.

The witness, who was waiting in Boar's Head Lounge in Gulf Gate, told the sheriff's office he saw a car looking like Brotherton's being driven by Hill, who did not stop.

When the witness picked Hill back up again by the corner of Tamiami Trail and Stickney Point Road, Hill told him, "He started mouthing off to me and would not get in the trunk so I shot him," according to the sheriff's office.

Hugh J. Brotherton, James' father, said he was "tickled pink" the suspect was caught.

"I've been saying the bullet killed Jimmy but it wounded all of us in the family," the elder Brotherton said. "Jimmy was a treasure. Even though it's a horror story it's part of the healing process. Not catching him would have been an open sore."

Brotherton, the 6th of 10 siblings, is survived by two teenage adopted sons, a toddler daughter and his wife of seven years, Rachel.

"To have that kind of a guy taken not just from our family, but from society — it's a crying shame," Brotherton's father said.

<p><em>SARASOTA COUNTY</em> - A 31-year-old Sarasota man was arrested Saturday in connection with the recent murder of a father of three.</p><p>James Brotherton, a 49-year-old Sarasota County Area Transit bus driver, was shot to death on Nov. 21, about four minutes after he was caught on video with his suspected killer at an ATM at Beneva Village Bank of America on Clark Road.</p><p>Sheriff's Office deputies arrested Charles L. Hill Jr., of the 4100 block of Westminster Drive, as he left a shopping center. Hill is charged with first-degree murder and is being held without bond.</p><p>A witness told the sheriff's office Hill asked him for a ride to the Gulf Gate area, where Brotherton was later shot, because he needed to see someone who owed him money.</p><p>The Gulf Gate library surveillance camera caught the shooting and the suspect fleeing in Brotherton's car with the trunk open.</p><p>The witness, who was waiting in Boar's Head Lounge in Gulf Gate, told the sheriff's office he saw a car looking like Brotherton's being driven by Hill, who did not stop.</p><p>When the witness picked Hill back up again by the corner of Tamiami Trail and Stickney Point Road, Hill told him, "He started mouthing off to me and would not get in the trunk so I shot him," according to the sheriff's office.</p><p>Hugh J. Brotherton, James' father, said he was "tickled pink" the suspect was caught.</p><p>"I've been saying the bullet killed Jimmy but it wounded all of us in the family," the elder Brotherton said. "Jimmy was a treasure. Even though it's a horror story it's part of the healing process. Not catching him would have been an open sore."</p><p>Brotherton, the 6th of 10 siblings, is survived by two teenage adopted sons, a toddler daughter and his wife of seven years, Rachel.</p><p>"To have that kind of a guy taken not just from our family, but from society — it's a crying shame," Brotherton's father said.</p>